Eastern League breaks all-time attendance record
September 21, 2005 - Eastern League (EL1) News Release
PORTLAND, ME - All of the final numbers have been counted and Eastern League President Joseph McEacharn is pleased to announce that for the second consecutive season, the Eastern League of Professional Baseball has set a new total attendance record. A total of 3,944,195 fans passed through the gates of the 12 Eastern League ballparks this season, breaking the previous record of 3,914,027, which was set during the 2004 season.
Seven clubs in the Eastern League, Binghamton, Bowie, Harrisburg, New Britain, New Hampshire, Norwich and Trenton, increased their total attendance over the 2004 season and the Eastern League showed an overall increase of 30,168 fans.
Commenting on the attendance success throughout the Eastern League, President Joseph McEacharn stated, "I am extremely proud of all of our member clubs for breaking the Eastern League attendance record for the second consecutive season. We look forward to attempting to break the record for a third consecutive season next year as the Eastern League continues to put forth a fantastic and exciting product both on and off the field."
The Reading Phillies led the Eastern League attendance this season, drawing a league-best 469,105 fans. Finishing just 14,049 fans behind Reading were the Eastern League Champion Akron Aeros, who saw a total of 455,056 fans pass through the gates at Canal Park, good for a league-high average attendance of 6,849. The R-Phils not only led the league in total attendance, but also became the first team in the history of the Eastern League to draw more than 450,000 fans for six consecutive seasons.
Other clubs in the Eastern League that had record breaking seasons at the gates in 2005 include the New Britain Rock Cats, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and the Trenton Thunder.
In New Britain, the Rock Cats drew a total of 337,687 fans this season, an increase of 26,016 over the 2004 season. It is the sixth straight year the Rock Cats have broken their franchise record for total attendance.
It is no surprise the New Hampshire Fisher Cats shattered almost all of their attendance records this season, as the club moved from Gill Stadium, a temporary facility, to Fisher Cats Ballpark, a brand new stadium that is located on the banks of the Merrimack River. The Fisher Cats drew a total of 279,556 fans during the 2005 season, an increase of 63,595 over the 2004 season. The Trenton Thunder also set two new attendance records this season. The Thunder drew a total of 410,926 fans in 2005, becoming the first team in the history of Minor League Baseball at the Double-A level or below to draw over 400,000 fans for 11 consecutive seasons. On September 2nd, the Thunder welcomed their 5,000,000th fan in franchise history to Waterfront Park, becoming the fastest team at the Double-A level or below to reach that milestone.
Although they did not break any attendance records, the Binghamton Mets and the Harrisburg Senators also had very successful seasons at the gate in 2005. In Binghamton, the B-Mets drew a total of 222,243 fans to NYSEG Stadium, which is the third highest total attendance in franchise history. The Senators attendance total was equally impressive, as the club saw a total of 264,728 fans pass through the turnstiles at Commerce Bank Park. That attendance total was the third highest total in the 19-year history of the franchise.
The Eastern League will begin their quest to set a new all-time attendance record for the third consecutive season when the 2006 campaign kicks off on Thursday, April 6th. The complete 2006 Eastern League schedule will be released later this offseason.
Eastern League Stories from September 21, 2005
- Navigators walking in Heart Walk October 16, 2005 - Connecticut Defenders
- Harrell surprised his record stood for so long - Reading Fightin Phils
- Eastern League breaks all-time attendance record - EL1
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